There’s no denying it. Winter’s right round the corner. And while the Farmer’s Almanac isn’t forecasting a bad one, if this week’s weather is any indication, we could be in for some long, dark, cold nights.

None of us like to think about the fact that right here in our own community, there are individuals and even families with children who are homeless and sleeping on the streets.

Somehow in summer, it’s easy to put them out of our minds. But when it’s cold outside, it’s harder not to think about those who are out in the cold, subjected to freezing temperatures with no place warm to go.

For some of them, there is an answer. It’s the Severe Weather Shelter at Bremerton Foodline food bank. Operated by the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management, the food bank doubles as a warm place when the temperature drops below freezing.

Through the goodness of local volunteers, the food bank stays open from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning so homeless men, women and children can sleep on blankets, sleeping pads or cots. The volunteers usually can offer snacks and there’s television.

It’s taken the work of several social service agencies and nonprofits to ensure that a place is open to the homeless. In the future, there will be a more permanent shelter at the Kitsap Rescue Mission when it’s expansion is funded and completed.

These volunteers, who offer their time, are to be commended. And all of us can support them by donating needed blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing.

It’s also important to get the word out. Whether the shelter opens depends on the weather. But finding out if it is open just takes looking at the front reader board of any Kitsap Transit bus.

Anyone from anywhere in the county who needs a warm place can come to Bremerton Foodline. Many social services will also offer up bus fare for individuals to get to the shelter in Bremerton.

We have miles to go to solve the homeless situation here in Kitsap County. But making sure there’s a warm option when it gets to be freezing outside is a start. Give your support to the Severe Weather Shelter.